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Big second half key for Wilmington Wildcats

By James Albert, Sun Correspondent

Updated:
10/08/2017 08:25:07 AM EDT

WATERTOWN -- Trailing 17-8 at halftime, it appeared some of the Wilmington High magic was running out. The Wildcats had given up 160 yards of offense with Watertown receiver John Korte catching everything in sight.

Wilmington 32, Watertown 17

But in the second half, the Wildcats totally dominated play and came away with a 32-17 come-from-behind victory over Watertown to improve to 4-1.

Wilmington had a number of star performances across the board, but senior Tyler Roberts, who usually plays defensive end but was switched to cornerback to cover Forte, arguably the best receiver in the league -- was easily the top one.

Forte had seven catches for 80 yards in the first half and was held without a catch until the final 1:48 when he added four in a prevent defense.

"I think we did a really good job of understanding what they were trying to do so we were able to change what we were doing defensively on the fly," said Wilmington's first-year head coach Craig Turner. "They weren't doing anything crazy against us but we just had to change some things up. We ask everyone to play team defense. The defense did a great job in the second half. We needed to get stops and we got them."

From the start of the third quarter to 1:48 left in the game, Wilmington held a whopping 216-20 advantage in total yards.

"The kids just really wanted it. I know that's such a cliché statement, but I really believe that," said Turner. "These kids wanted it more. They were more physical up front.

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Watertown led 14-0 before Wilmington got on the scoreboard as John Kenney scored his first of three touchdowns, this one coming from 21 yards out. He rushed in the conversion.

Kenney finished rushing for 153 yards, giving him 730 yards and 10 touchdowns in just five games. He also had a key interception in the second half.

Right before the first half ended, Watertown's Conor Kennelly booted a 39-yard field goal, making it 17-8 at the break.

Wilmington totally dominated the second half. Tom Robarge caught a 17-yard slant pass from Smith, before Kenney scored on an 8-yard and a 5-yard TD run. Roberts caught both conversion passes from Smith.

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